Texas Predicted to Land Commitment From Blue-Chip DB originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Texas Longhorns are trending in the right direction for one of the top defensive backs in the 2026 class. Four-star cornerback Samari Matthews is set to announce his college decision on July 11, and the Longhorns are now widely viewed as the favorites to land him.

According to On3’s Steve Wiltfong and Chad Simmons, both respected voices in the recruiting world, Texas has emerged as the frontrunner for the Huntersville (N.C.) William Amos Hough standout. Their expert predictions follow similar picks from Texas insiders earlier this spring, all pointing toward Austin as Matthews’ likely destination.

Matthews, ranked as the No. 69 overall prospect and No. 9 cornerback in the 2026 cycle by the On3 Industry Ranking, has taken official visits to all four of his finalists: Texas, South Carolina, Florida State, and Miami. But it was his most recent trip to Austin that may have sealed the deal.

Following that visit, Matthews reportedly told Inside Texas that the experience “exceeded expectations” and that The Forty Acres “felt like home.” That kind of feedback, combined with Texas’ recent recruiting momentum, has only strengthened the belief that head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff are closing in on another major win.

Texas has already landed several high-profile commitments this summer, including five-star EDGE Richard Wesley and five-star quarterback Dia Bell, the recent Elite 11 MVP. Adding Matthews would give the Longhorns their first cornerback in the 2026 class and another blue-chip defender to build around.

With just over two weeks until his announcement, Matthews’ recruitment appears to be nearing the finish line, and all signs point to burnt orange.

Related: Miami Steals Visit From Clemson for Top247 CB Samari Matthews

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.

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